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Berlin Business Location Center > Business location > Berlin at a glance > Berlin’s foreign trade - Made in Berlin

Berlin’s foreign trade - Made in Berlin

Berlin products continue to be in high demand across the globe: In 2023, Berlin-based companies exported goods valued at more than 16 billion euros.

Beside of the United States, France and China it's Poland, the Netherlands and Italy who are Berlin's most important foreign trading partners.

Berlin companies exported goods worth 16.7 billion euros to 207 countries in 2023. The slight decline in Berlin’s exports of 0.3 percent compared to the previous year corresponds to the percentage decline in nationwide exports. This means that Berlin’s exports still exceed the pre-crisis level of 2019 (15.2 billion euros).

High raw material prices, the moderate growth dynamics of the global economy and geopolitical crises had a noticeable impact on export companies. Although Berlin’s industrial producers only account for 5.9 percent of gross value added (business-related service sectors 30 percent), they are very export-oriented and generate around 48.7 percent of sales abroad.

With a share of 9.2 percent of all Berlin exports, the United States remains the most important buyer of Berlin goods, followed by France, China, Poland and Italy. 48 percent of all Berlin exports went to the EU (excluding Great Britain).

Berlin’s exports to the eurozone rose by 2.6 percent, which was mainly due to the growth in exports to Spain, the Czech Republic and Greece. Exports to all EU countries (excluding the UK) also recorded an increase of 5.4 percent. Exports to the United Kingdom, on the other hand, fell by 4.4 percent. Despite a 5 percent decline in export volume, France narrowly pushes China into third place, which has an export decline of 8.5 percent.

The top exports of the Berlin economy include pharmaceutical products with a share of 14.7% (EUR 2.5 billion), other vehicles (EUR 1.7 billion), electricity generation equipment (EUR 1.4 billion), medical equipment (EUR 1 million) and power machinery (EUR 991 million).

International connections

Excellent networking through 18 international sister cities and other types of cooperation as well as approx. 130 diplomatic representations, international business groups, chambers of commerce and organizations on site. Wide support network for funding and subsidies provided by various institutions Located in the heart of Europe with excellent international connections

(Sources: IBB, Berlin aktuell - Berliner Exporte, 2024; berlin.de - The Official Website of Berlin, 2024)